Assistant Professor - Special Education

San José State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Lurie College of Education. Beginning August 2025, the position supports MA, credential, and BA pathways, with emphasis on serving multilingual and diverse learners.

Candidates should demonstrate potential in research, writing, and teaching across programs. The department collaborates with local districts, offers multiple credential programs, and seeks scholars committed to equity, inclusion,

Qualifications

• PhD or EdD in Special Education or related field.
• Demonstrated potential for research and scholarly writing.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population, gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Responsibilities

• Teach a range of courses in the Department of Special Education, which may include any combination of Master’s, credential, and/or undergraduate students.
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda as necessary for tenure and promotion.
• Provide service to the Department of Special Education through tasks such as advising students, curriculum development, assessment and accreditation tasks, and recruitment activities.
• Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Education

PhD or EdD in Special Education or related field

Job description

Job no: 543994
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, Faculty - Human Development

Position Title

Assistant Professor of Special Education

School/Department

Lurie College of Education / Department of Special Education

Compensation

Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule. Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $90,000 - $100,000. Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date

August 18, 2025

Application Deadline

December 15, 2024 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

Position Description

The Department of Special Education at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor of Special Education beginning in August 2025. We seek candidates who possess strong potential for scholarly research, writing, and teaching in the Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education and Education Specialist Credential programs across undergraduate, credential, and MA degree pathways. Candidates with expertise in working with students with Mild to Moderate disabilities, including those who are multilingual and those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are especially welcome to apply.

The Department of Special Education within the Lurie College of Education at SJSU prepares transformative special educators who possess the knowledge and skills to meet the intersectional identities of all learners and work as change agents to create equitable and inclusive environments in schools. The Department offers a Master’s in Special Education program and three Education Specialist credential programs accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The department prepares candidates to work in over 40 school districts across the greater San Jose area, including satellite programs in the Tri-Valley and Santa Cruz counties. The department has developed strong collaborative relationships with many Local Education Agencies and operates a Teacher Residency Program with four local districts. In addition, the department partners with the Liberal Studies, Child and Adolescent Development, and Math departments to run five‑year blended BA to MA programs that include the Education Specialist credential.

Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to equity and inclusion through their research, teaching, and/or service. We ask that all applicants include a Diversity Statement with their application package. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Diversity Statement Guidelines, along with information about how these statements will be evaluated.

Required Qualifications

• PhD or EdD in Special Education or related field
• Demonstrated potential for research and scholarly writing
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population, gained in cross‑cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of public school teaching experience with students with mild to moderate disabilities
• Expertise in working with multilingual learners and ability to support students in earning bilingual authorization
• Expertise in evidence‑based literacy instruction, including foundational skills and related reading/language learning disabilities, including dyslexia
• Expertise in evidence‑based math instruction and related math disabilities including dyscalculia
• Ability and interest in teaching and/or advising dissertations for doctoral students in Lurie College’s EdD program
• Strong potential for research and scholarly work in the field of special education as evidenced by one or more of the following: publications in professional journals, grant proposals, or conference presentations in the field of special education

Key Responsibilities

• Teach a range of courses in the Department of Special Education, which may include any combination of Master’s, credential, and/or undergraduate students
• Maintain an active scholarly agenda as necessary for tenure and promotion
• Provide service to the Department of Special Education through tasks such as advising students, curriculum development, assessment and accreditation tasks, and recruitment activities
• Participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments
• Organize all classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
• Demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement

Other Duties

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083. Some faculty duties may lead to designation as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs are required to complete Clery Act training and immediately report Clery incidents to the institution. Faculty employees must complete CSU employee training as assigned and required based on their role.

Conditional Offer

The work for this faculty position may only be performed in the State of California and requires establishing an on‑campus presence. Employment is contingent upon US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Ancestry, Caste, Color, Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, Gender Expression, Gender Identity, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Military Status, Nationality, Race, Religion, Religious Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Sex Stereotype, and Veteran Status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff as well as University programs and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made for applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.